Career Boulevard promises fertile ground for job seekers

The nursery industry needs more people who love working with plants — but finding them can be more difficult than expected. Meanwhile, those hoping to do this work may not know where to start.

The Oregon Association of Nurseries is addressing these challenges head on with Career Boulevard at the 2026 Farwest Show, August 26–28 in Portland, Oregon. It’s designed to bring job seekers and employers together, but it’s more than a job fair. It’s a networking space, an educational resource, a nexus of mentorship, and more, all in one. “Those looking to plant the seeds of a nursery career will not find more fertile ground,” OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone said.

Career Boulevard will connect job seekers — whether they are prospective students, current students, recent graduates, career changers or people looking to make a move — with educators, industry experts, internship resources, scholarship information, job boards, networking and even a NexGen (next generation) social filled with like-minded people.

To explore Career Boulevard resources, claim a free student trade show pass, or plan your visit, go to FarwestShow.com/careerboulevard

“Green industry careers are exciting,” said Connie Lindsay, trade show manager for the Oregon Association of Nurseries, which produces Farwest. “So many people love to spend time outdoors, around beautiful plants. A nursery career lets them explore their passion for sustainability, outdoor design and nursery production, but they need an entry way to unlock the opportunities.

“That’s why we have Career Boulevard — to help people find resources and new connections, and help employers find people with a passion for plants,” Lindsay continued. “Because when it comes down to it, the need is mutual and it’s just a matter of helping people connect, conveniently, in one place.”

Those attending can seek scholarship guidance, visit a resume review station with live feedback from industry pros and educators, and get information on financial aid and college planning. Several organizations will be represented, including Chemeketa Community College, Clackamas Community College, Oregon State University, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Farwest is coming August 26–28, 2026 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. The Career Boulevard will be open during expo floor hours: noon–5 p.m. Wednesday, August 26, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Thursday, August 27, and 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Friday, August 28.

Meanwhile, the NexGen Networking Social will let job seekers and career explorers connect with peers and pros at a free event to help jump-start their professional network. The social will take place from 3:30–5 p.m. Wednesday, August 26.

A three-day trade show pass to Farwest will be available to students and others for free, using the code GROWHERE26. Meanwhile, students can avail themselves of an Education Pass for $49 and get access to three-days of expert-led educational seminars.

More at the Farwest Show
Three all-day tours of local nurseries precede the show, starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25. The tours highlight wholesale nurseries, nursery propagation, and nursery automation.

The connections won’t stop on the show floor. In addition to the NexGen gathering, Farwest offers three other fun and lively social and networking events not seen at other shows, including the Farwest Happy Hour, the Farwest Pub Crawl, and the Women in Horticulture Networking Event. All of these create space where conversations flow and connections grow.

Show features such as the New Varieties Showcase, New Products Showcase, Solution Center, and Automation Summit offer glimpses of the future whether you’re seeking new plants, new products, new tools, new ideas or a new job.

It all takes place in Oregon, a nursery industry epicenter. Oregon growers sold $1.3 billion worth of plants in 2024, according to the recently released USDA Census of Horticulture. Oregon leads all other states in the sale of conifers, deciduous shade trees, deciduous shrubs, flowering trees and Christmas trees. However, behind this dominance of woody material is incredible diversity. Oregon is also a significant producer of annuals, perennials, vegetable starts, herbs, climbers, tropicals, houseplants and much more.

For questions about Career Boulevard or the Farwest Show in general, contact Connie Lindsay at [email protected] or 503-582-2005. For questions about seminars, contact Jamie Moore at [email protected] or 503-582-2010.

For more information:
Oregon Association of Nurseries
www.oan.org